Sarah the Editor
Copy editing and proofreading services available!
Keep scrolling for more information about what these services include!
AI Note:
I have not ever, nor will I ever, use generative AI in any editing, writing, or other professional services. Everything you see or commission from me will be 100% human-created—and I expect the same from everyone I work with.
Editing by humans, for humans. With integrity.
Let’s work together
Interested in learning more about my editing processes and whether we may be a good working fit? Reach out today!
Direct contact through this form, or check out my profile on Reedsy!
Copy editing
When I copy edit your work, I am looking at the entire story and how you tell it. You’ve already done a developmental edit at this point—with another editor, or with beta readers, or with your wall—and you’re ready to finesse your work.
What I provide:
In-line comments throughout your manuscript
Track changes on for any grammar/spelling updates, and comments flagging any questions
A style sheet that includes every character in your work with brief physical and personality/plot descriptions to ensure worldbuilding and characters are consistent
Two-to-three week turnaround
Grammarly has a great breakdown on what different types of editing entail:
What is copy editing?
Copy editing takes place after a substantive edit but before proofreading. The objective of copy editing is to polish the copy so that it’s clear while retaining the author’s voice and meaning. Copy is defined as “matter to be printed,” and a copy editor is responsible for this polishing step. They comb through a written work to identify and correct:
Grammar
Spelling
Tone and style deviations
Wordiness
Clunky transitions
Confusing syntax
Problematic or misused words
Uneven flow
After a copy edit, the copy should be a cohesive, readable piece that adheres to the publication’s tone and style guidelines.
Proofreading
When I proofread your work, I’m your final line of defense before sending it into the world. You’ve already done your plot, worldbuilding, and character edits; you’ve already checked your overall flow; you’re ready for those last looks so the story reads like the dazzling final product it’s ready to be.
What I provide:
Track changes in your document for any spelling/formatting errors I fix
In-line comments as needed to flag questions or concerns (or especially great lines!)
One-to-two-week turnaround
Grammarly has a great breakdown on what different types of editing entail:
What is proofreading?
Proofreading takes place after the copy editor has completed their work and before the work is published. This step gets its name from the traditional typesetting process. Before multiple book copies were printed, a test version of a manuscript or book, called a “galley proof,” would be created. Proofreaders would read through these proofs to spot and fix mistakes before moving them forward to printing.
A proofreader is a specialized editor who’s tasked with reviewing the mechanical elements of the copy. They are the final set of eyes to address issues involving:
Grammar
Spelling
Punctuation
Capitalization
Formatting
On-page layout
In addition to correcting mechanical, fine line oversights that might have slipped through the editing process, proofreaders are responsible for fixing on-page elements. These might include inconsistent headers and subheads, page numbers and breaks, placement of visual assets like a table or chart, and other formatting issues.
